U.S. Chamber Takes Part in European Launch of Coalition to Protect IP Jobs

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today joined industry leaders in launching the Coalition for Innovation, Employment and Development (CIED). This coalition, formerly known in the U.S. as IDEA, will work with international stakeholders to safeguard intellectual property (IP) rights that encourage research and development, investments, job creation, economic growth, and technological solutions to the world’s challenges.

“Strong IP rights are an essential component to international efforts to solve the world’s problems,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the Global Intellectual Property Center at the U.S. Chamber. “Whether it be famine, health care, climate change or another global challenge, innovation is key to providing solutions while creating jobs and growing the global economy.”

Esper joined coalition representatives from companies of all sizes in a Geneva-based media roundtable officially launching the coalition in Europe. Emphasizing the importance of IP to the global economy, participants noted the need to work with other stakeholders who are committed to job creation in research-intensive sectors. A list of CIED members can be found here.

“The goal of the coalition is to work to bring industry, labor, consumer, and environmental groups together to address global challenges,” said Esper. “We will accomplish this by promoting innovation as a source of job creation, protecting IP laws and rules in key U.N. bodies, strengthening and enforcing IP laws in key countries, and raising awareness and support for IP through advocacy. The coalition’s immediate focus is on protecting IP in any global climate change agreements and emphasizing the harm mandatory technology transfer would incur on innovation and employment.”

The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion IP as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.

The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.